In the same year that Jimmy Bailey started work at Remploy in Stoke, Ted Heath replaced Harold Wilson as Britain's Prime Minister, the Beatles shocked the world by announcing their breakup and Chelsea beat Leeds United in a replay to win the FA Cup.
Britain has changed beyond recognition since then, of course, but one thing has remained constant; 40 years on, Jimmy, 60, still makes his daily journey into work at Remploy, only now his workplace is a modern, purpose built factory at Trentham Lakes that has replaced the company's original site at Leek Road.
Reflecting on his four decades with Remploy, the country's largest specialist employer of people with disabilities and health conditions, Jimmy said: "I can't believe how quickly the years have passed. I've loved every minute of my time here."
Jimmy, who was left with mobility problems following a motor bike accident in his teens, has witnessed countless changes during his lengthy career with Remploy. "When I started at the Leek Road site, we were manufacturing a range of products from ironing boards to wheelchairs and ladders. Now we assemble parts for JCB at a factory that is modern and a pleasure to work in."
David Evans, Remploy's manager at the factory described Jimmy's achievement as remarkable.
"He is very popular with his colleagues, simply because he is such a fun person to be with.
"In an age when people tend to move jobs quite frequently I can't imagine there will be many people emulating Jimmy's fantastic achievement of 40 years with one company."
On Thursday (20 May), Jimmy, who started work at Remploy on 27 April 1970, will be joined by friends and colleagues past and present at a special award ceremony when he will be presented with a clock and barometer.